Mourning Carries Heat Past Nuggets

January 7, 1996|By ROBES PATTON Staff Writer

DENVER - — Alonzo Mourning is back.

In a big, big way.

The Heat's 6-foot-10 franchise center returned from a 12-game absence and scored 38 points, including a running left-handed hook with 14.7 seconds that Nuggets rookie Antonio McDyess goaltended for the decisive points in an 88-86 Heat victory Saturday night at McNichols Sports Arena.

Mourning, who missed nearly a month with a partially torn tendon in his left foot, was activated Saturday after missing nearly a month.

He started by missing his first 3-pointer and ended the night by stalking around the court pumping his fists in victory.

In between, he smoothly raced up and down the court. He spun and cut and jumped without the slightest trace of a limp. He exhorted teammates. And he provided the Heat with some presence and some dominant inside power despite the absence of Kevin Willis, who missed the game with back spasms.

Creating havoc underneath for the Nuggets, Mourning drew third fouls on both Dikembe Mutombo and McDyess in the first half and then drew fourth fouls on Mutombo, McDyess and LaPhonso Ellis in the third quarter.

About the only misstep by Mourning, other than some wayward outside shots, came when he lingered on the sideline too long during a timeout in the second quarter.

"Hey, Alonzo, let's go," referee Ron Olesiak called. Mourning then sauntered to the side of the key before realizing he was shooting the free throws.

Free throws almost proved to be the Heat's undoing. Leading 85-83 after guard Bimbo Coles knifed through the Denver defense for a layup with 57.2 seconds to play, the Heat forced Ellis to take an off-balance shot. Owens rebounded the miss, was fouled, but missed both free throws.

That returned possession to the Nuggets, who inbounded the ball to point guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf for a bit of deja vu.

Last season, Abdul-Rauf, isolated at the top of the key against Coles, hit a game winner at McNichols. This time, he again worked against Coles and hit a 3-pointer to give the Nuggets an 86-85 lead with 27 seconds to play.

However, that only served to set up Mourning's heroics. After a timeout, Mourning drove into the lane and lofted a running left-handed hook over Mutombo. McDyess approached from the other side of the lane, swatted the shot and was called for goaltending.

Abdul-Rauf misfired at the other end and Mourning was fouled on the rebound. He laughed after launching an airball on the first free throw, then converted the second.

An Abdul-Rauf desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer was off target.

Mourning quickly reminded the Heat what it had been missing. With coach Pat Riley liberally calling plays for Mourning in the first quarter, the center converted four of his first nine shots and scored eight points before taking a rest after playing the opening 10 minutes, 24 seconds.

When Mourning took his first break, the Heat led 16-13; when he returned early in the second quarter, the Heat trailed 24-18. At halftime, the Heat trailed 41-37, and Mourning had accounted for more than 50 percent of Miami's total with 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 shooting from the line.

For much of the game, Mourning clearly was the Heat's primary threat. During one stretch from late in the second quarter into the third quarter, he scored 17 of the Heat's 20 points before Billy Owens got untracked and scored three consecutive baskets to pull the Heat within four points at 53-49 during a drive that lifted Miami back into contention.